How Hard Is A Pro Cyclocross Course? | Beginner Vs Infamous Zonhoven Sandpit

Cyclo-cross is a brutal sport, involving a mixture of terrain and brutal, lung-busting efforts on a bike with no suspension and narrow tyres. But often the hardest part is the racecourse, and none compare to the infamous Zonhoven sandpit in Belgium. Zonhoven forms part of the Telenet Superprestige cyclocross series which is the premier professional series in Belgium, and the course has huge, steep sandbanks which challenge even the best professional cyclists... So obviously we thought it would be a good idea to send Ollie to give it a try. Did we mention that he's never ridden CX before?
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Leave us a comment below!

[@mithral999]

The distictive sound of the wahoo stopping when Ollie goes up the hill so slow it thinks he's stopped

[@88joshuajohnathan]

hahaha. That is hilarious.

[@alexj.3206]

Funny👍

[@enderdude5000]

Ha funny

[@hookmaster1109]

Jeremy brings out the best in his co-hosts. Fun and educational.

[@SethMcClaine]

I strongly disagree.. I think his co-hosts are put on the spot and have to step up to counter Jeremys negativity

[@swesleyc7]

I got to ride with Jeremy in Denver during the opening of a Pactimo store. Really cool and approachable guy.

[@djdelarosa25]

@@SethMcClaine The fuck are you on about?

[@enderdude5000]

Okie dokie matie

[@enderdude5000]

E

[@kevinbowe]

Ollie is such a GOOD SPORT for doing this. Yea Ollie. I can only DREAM of having a teacher as encouraging as Jeremy. Yea Jeremy. I hope the budget included multiple rounds of BEER! -- Thank you for the great content GCN. Cheers!

[@adamsteineke4661]

Right? One of these days I'm going to show up at Jeremy's doorstep and beg him to teach me real cx skills!

[@bunnyadrian]

I love seeing Oliver succeed, but, sorry Ollie, it's fun to see you fall over as well.

[@perrymiddlemist9969]

Jeremy does such a great job teaching, I would even give it a try.

[@adamsteineke4661]

Perry Middlemist You really should give it a go! Watch their intro series on it! I learned the basics in an afternoon and then just went and raced! It’s intoxicating!

[@enderdude5000]

Haha

[@cparm08]

Pro road bikers: humans ride down that! Beginner mountain bikers: looks like a pretty fun hill.

[@bobcrane8783]

So true. I was like any beginner send. Barely even a send either

[@DLMKGaming]

Try doing it on skinny tires 😂😂

[@The_Dude_420]

@@DLMKGaming why should we ride such boring dumb gear?

[@bobcrane8783]

Dave Lagendijk why would I even need to use plus size tires, I would be using normal mtb tires. And why would I make it more challenging than it needs to be

[@arne_mh]

@@bobcrane8783 he was saying an skinny tires, not mtb tires

[@Malesoun]

Ollie taking one for the team like the legend that he is. Can anyone at GCN confirm that the blooper reel is an hour long? 😂

[@enderdude5000]

Lol

[@walshman70]

Jeremy's unbridled enthusiasm is infectious!

[@casefarley5744]

Powers is a great addition to the channel. He makes this kind of riding look like a lot of fun. (It really isn't.) : )

[@isaacyoung1868]

Case Farley absolutely agree. I want a coach like powers!

[@wazeFPS]

So cyclocross is like mountain biking enduro type thing with the least appropriate bike possible for the task? Cool

[@nickcardeneo6852]

It's pretty cool

[@garfieldt]

Yes. makes it more difficult. And it shows, Van der poel, the best cyclocrosser is also doing mountainbike races, and winning them.

[@jabba969]

@@garfieldt He just wins everything on bikes :D

[@garfieldt]

@@jabba969 True dat. A true champion that guy.

[@shmvon]

The tires are quite wide, and there are no rocks or drops for which you need some suspension. In Dutch cyclocross translates as 'field riding', as that's the main part of it, and a cyclocross bike is made for it. Also, I don't know how long an enduro mtb race is, but a cx race is only one hour, so it's rather speedy. You could do a cx race slightly slower with an mtb bike, but not the other way around probably.

[@peterverhelst9594]

Lmao… 😂… you should do a “Ollie does…” series…😂😂

[@gcn]

Ollie does BMX is something we want to see

[@peterverhelst9594]

Global Cycling Network go for it…😄👍🏼

[@richardtickler8555]

@@gcn OIlie does bike polo

[@vyl4650]

@@gcn I am a bit late but I hope to one day see Ollie giving artistic cycling and cycle ball a shot. After that day I can die in peace

[@raulrivera-earthstewardshi2241]

Great work guys. Ollie's down to earth spirit makes it real. Jeremy's instructions are easy to understand. What a fun and educational vid.

[@skyseaman1062]

I am a beginner not only on cycling but also on my first bike; a cyclocross. And that makes you my favorite GCN host! You're the man, Ollie!

[@chrisbaum998]

That was awesome!! Enjoyed the humor and banter between Ollie and Jeremy!! Very educational along the way.

[@wspmjw]

Well done Ollie! As a novice (read Cat 5) Cx racer, those sandy hills are killers. You did well with no prior experience. Great to learn from a Pro too. Good coaching session Jeremy.

[@cliffsangelsphotography]

Can you please send Ollie to GMBN? It'd be a great experience for Ollie!

[@scottcoulter659]

Love the addition of Jeremy to the GCN team! Getting more and more into gravel riding lately so I’ve been watching more of his videos. Always great!

[@vickysama248]

Jeremy's giggles are contagious.! Congrats Ollie on completing the course!

[@dorothyb.]

Jeremy is just amazing. Loving his contribution to the show and of course his cyclo-cross talent

[@andrewmcalister3462]

Ollie and J-POW. Great combination of hosts. More please.

[@frazergoodwin4945]

Jeremy: "Look at the rut" Ollie: *thinks of current dear behaviour on North Yorkshire moor* Bambi on Ice reference follows...

[@Bad_Science_Channel]

Frazer Goodwin it’s like you’re inside my head 🤔

[@brycezoeller]

This is the best GCN video ever bro. It has all the ingredients of a great video: Ollie + Cyclocross + Sand = entertainment

[@LucaBonato]

Imagin havin matt in there, thst would have been hilarious. Love the old cx videos with Matt

[@gauloisrefractaireenexilvo4366]

Great piece of entertainment, thank you! Oh man, CX looks really super duper tough. I'd love to see the behind-the-scenes and bloopers of this episode. There must be some hilarious moments. The duo J & O works really well indeed.

[@petersauer94]

Absolutely brilliant, another great video from Jeremy and so funny.people don't realize how hard and difficult cyclocross is.

[@mathymaven7883]

Ollie did a very, very credible job of riding one of the toughest CX tracks on the planet. #respect

[@shezpluscats]

Best GCN video ever. Please get Ollie in on more CX shenanigans.

[@lmc333]

Ollie is too much fun to look at, listen to and anything else... GCN is not GCN without Ollie... Priceless

[@Bad_Science_Channel]

LM C thanks for the kind words mate!

[@josephnorman5181]

Ollie and Jeremy are my two favorite presenters. This was a great mash up of styles.

[@jade4805]

The BEST!! Freakin' hilarious, Ollie looked truly in shock after seeing the pit, J-Pow is the best.

[@adamhorsfield6104]

This is funniest GCN video I've watched

[@GeekonaBike]

The Best 'Odd Couple' since Felix & Oscar

[@STRASSENPROVOKANT]

Guys, I never laughed more than in this episode. Thanks, great combination thise two.

[@saleemwaheed9956]

This was a very good video full of very useful info. Ollie again proves he is the best!

[@colinthompson5881]

Utterly brilliant, educational and hilarious. Superb 👍

[@anthonycordeiro3205]

By far one of my favorite videos well done Ollie

[@shavedheadwonder]

Ollie at the beginning sounds like a person who starts something that he has no idea what he just got himself into. And then realizes that he doesn't know what he is doing at all. Hilarious good laugh

[@Bad_Science_Channel]

yup. pretty much

[@deanmclellanwww.deanmclell4547]

Really well done video on the sport. I've never done it but it was very well put together and informative!! Thanks from Ontario Canada!!

[@Pratalax]

Also, Jeremy and Ollie = Jollie, which is how i feel when i see these two on screen. Power combo!

[@trevejenkyn9888]

Really enjoyed watching this one, thanks

[@ruialex7745]

Amazing video!! very funny and lots of important tips in the middle

[@ChanceBarber]

One of the best videos! Dr. Oliver did great!

[@elywilkinson7404]

This is even better than when Matt tried the same thing a few years ago. Ollie's helmet tipped to the side from the first crash until the end of the video is perfect.

[@YSPDJapan]

Fucking hilarious.

[@AlanJeffreyMcClainJr]

One of my favorites so far!

[@gcn]

Thanks Jeff

[@aleroxit]

Fantastic stuff! Thanks GCN

[@chrisheimerl5862]

Great stuff JPow. Super surprised you never raced Zonhoven and kinda sad for you man. Look forward to seeing you there this year.

[@NebulaMK]

I love that Jeremy just loves life dude. I love when he’s on GCN

[@michielnooren2076]

You guys should organize a groupride when you're abroad. Good to see you had lots of fun in Belgium!

[@gcn]

Good idea Michiel!

[@jeroenmast9366]

Belgieeeeeee

[@tomm1413]

I would love to join in if you guys are around!

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Thanks for putting a smile on my face today 😁

[@gcn]

You're very welcome!

[@MarianChicu]

Brilliant video lads! loved it :)

[@gcn]

Thanks Marian

[@danbuck9214]

Even if the rest of the video wasn't great (which it was!), it would have been worth watching just to see Ollie trying to run/carry his bike! Seriously, though, Ollie, you are a great sport for stepping into this one. May all your future cyclocross ventures include easier to find cow paths. ;)

[@marymartin7965]

Well done Ollie. You have to start somewhere. I learned something new.

[@sandrochiavaroBeerCircles]

Such an amazing episode. J-Pow you are such a breath of fresh air to watch. Olie did his very best, and that was impressive, well done mate🤙🏽🤙🏽. I am sure I am not the only one to say this, but I have a strong feeling that CX riders that cross over to road have really big advantages. The workout is brutal, the technical skills also. Obviously riding the road peloton is a skill in its own. Would love to see GCN tackle this theory and make a series where Olie or Llyody(or even both) do a Suffer fest style training protocol of X weeks and see gains on the actual road cycling data. 🤓😉

[@Bad_Science_Channel]

its made me want to have a go! i agree

[@stuartmcgill5065]

Nice one! I haven't tried Cyclo-Cross yet, but I think I'll be giving it a go soon. Thanks for the tips ;-)

[@CzerNeDoPlay3]

This is probably the funniest GCN video I watched so far 😂

[@gcn]

Haha! It was pretty hilarious to make too!

[@robbchastain3036]

I feel Ollie's pain. I was never into riding ten-speeds in the dirt, either. Or running with them, yikes. But I admire the strength and skill it takes and it's all good to me now.

[@aneczka2114]

The reaction when Ollie see the sand drop 😂 haha hilarious!

[@michaelschlechter9272]

Ollie and JPow combo is amazing!

[@JMcLeodKC711]

Best episode ever. I know others have mentioned this but each time GCN tags one of the presenters to try CX, it's like a death card. Hey Ollie, maybe Dr. Polley needs a lab tech

[@willjones7132]

One of, if not the best comment sections out of any GCN video.

[@R_Haraldsson]

the gravel cyclocross network is getting better and better!

[@FlatSpinMan]

The most unintentionally funny (scenes of Ollie running and riding) I’ve seen in absolutely ages.

[@paulgush]

As a mountain biker turned commuter turned occasional roadie, I never really got the point of cyclocross. _But_ I watched this video just before my commute took me through through some refrozen slushy snow. The tips for riding through sand were perfect! I was amazed I made it through without putting a foot down or falling. Thank you J-Pow!

[@gcn]

You are very welcome! Great to hear it helped you out, thats the awesome thing about cyclocross the skills are so useful and transferable!

[@paulgush]

@@gcn Top cross tip: get your weight back over the saddle...like a mountain biker! Ah, as much as we all ike to tease other disciplines, generally people who like to ride bikes like to ride bikes in general.

[@isaacyoung1868]

Good job Ollie.. you're very entertaining! I know it is hard trying to fill the void left my Matt Stephens.. (i mean this is the sort of video that Matt usually did before he left) but you're doing a fantastic job!

[@cyclenutter2715]

GCN need to create the super-like button.

[@andrewcox4304]

Cycle Nutter “splendid” would be better.

[@cyclenutter2715]

@@andrewcox4304 haha yeah 'the splendid button'

[@saturnioowens6546]

ringing the bell icon!

[@cyclenutter2715]

@@saturnioowens6546 Yesss that would be so much better...

[@dushk0]

don't nut on my cycle, please

[@thehornydevil15]

Great watch guys really enjoyed it 😂😂😂

[@DrewsOnFirst]

These two together are priceless

[@heidijarvis777]

That was so much fun to watch, Jeremy is a legend showing the younger Ollie how it’s done 😂

[@ronaldk.wileyjr.5476]

That was AWESOME!

[@marcelobecerra5083]

Gracias, muy divertido 💙🚴‍♂️

[@annettefournier9655]

I don't think we will be losing Ollie to cyclocross.😎

[@JuupTube21]

The way you say Van der Poel is really funny to listen to as a Dutchman. Nice vid!

[@jansprij2858]

Well Ollie, I really must admit, You really try everything, I have can appreciate this

[@BuildingCenter]

"I'll give it a go." ~ Ollie, 2019 That's the spirit.

[@andrewhardyman-richards1554]

Ollie's helmet genuinely made me spit out my tea. Proper wonky! 🙈

[@HelcaraxeUlairi]

I love cyclocross, it's cool to see Zonhoven on an off race day

[@lizmasterson5805]

Good on ya Ollie for givin’ it a try!

[@hutchmusician]

Being from Leeds, my favourite parts are always where Olly is working hard and his Yorkshire accent gets stronger: ‘ah maht a’ creahted lahk a new weh o’ doin’ it!’

[@lelanicarver2428]

Having spent a little time in the Dales, those moments when Ollie’s accent gets broader and broader mek me so happy. Also, ‘e shooda stop’ t’hoooome.

[@hutchmusician]

Lelani Carver I live in the Dales, Hebden Bridge to be precise. Everyone sounds like that here. :)

[@lelanicarver2428]

hutch1979music Spent the most time near Grassington, but also went through Hebden Bridge. That was before cycling bug got us so it was all boots and stiles

[@lst1nwndrlnd]

Master J. Pow! GCN Truly Global

[@Lsu4878]

This was great. I never this and now I have big appreciation for those riders!

[@gcn]

Glad you enjoyed it! Really puts Cross rider's skills into perspective, doesn't it!

[@bigdazz8636]

Awesome video, loved it. I've just into CX myself and I'm glad I'm not the only one who finds it bloody hard work. Incredibly fun though 🤩👍🚴💩💩💩

[@gcn]

Keep at it Big Dazz!

[@23andrewgreen]

Channelling your inner Norman Wisdom there Oli with the skewed helmet :) .

[@Karla-Flr]

Great video ! Very good tips also for me as a new gravel rider !!!!

[@bettayets]

Hahaha yaass, Ave Maria playing is perfect

[@miaburke3703]

Great vid!!

[@aliensporebomb]

When Ollie went down the hill for the first time I pictured his life flashing before his eyes. He did great! He's just new to it!

[@DavidSpears919]

Wish there could have been a Matt guest appearance.... Ollie and Matt together would have been insane:)

[@0davydebrycke328]

Haha, without seeing and footage, I read you guys go to Zonhoven for 1st cyclo cross experience. Good luck guys. I'm gonna enjoy this one

[@figa9963]

So it's Ollie does cyclocross now? Funniest vid in a while!

[@GilesBlay]

HAHAHA, So out of your comfort zone Ollie! Loved to see you trting to run up that last hill. Don't give up your day job. Giles @ New Zealand

[@douglaspate9314]

Jeremy is totally f...ing AWESOME!!!!

[@gardnercalibuso]

Lessons learned 👍👍👍.. Thanks for the education

[@gcn]

Great to hear you enjoyed it!

[@burkec33]

One of the most entertaining videos here. Hilarious! Made even better since most of us would identify with Ollie on this one.

[@gcn]

Everyone has been there!

[@samson40a]

Absolutely awesome. I get scared riding through a few feet of sand.

[@dwaipayandattaroy9801]

Second track short handle solid turn, awesome .... speed maintained

[@caillou450]

The look on Ollie’s face @2:48... priceless ;-)

[@qcyclewood5224]

Can you guys do a video on what clothing is worn for cyclocross and for cyclocross training. I see stuff for windproof baselayers, insulated skin suits, some hacks, etc. Just want to see what stuff works and what the pro's use. Also what works for the US in dryer climates and in europe. You could even do a video on bike prep for cx for different courses. For example in the rocky mountain area of the US i find on dry and sand courses that if i run a dry wax lube or a hot chain wax that i keep sand out of my chain. If i use different chain lubes the sand destroys my chain. I also find that i need to do full on chain soaking to get the CX gunk out. Love the new presenter Jeremy and Ollie to give us a unique perspective!

[@jimstone1501]

Fun episode!

[@nadirmirali]

Ollie, thank you for being a good sport. You taught us all. I am sure you know more than you let know.

[@davidvasquez2064]

Great work 👍

[@michaelwardas3355]

These guys are hilarious!

[@dominiqueaneca]

loved the "Ave Maria" :)